[ran007]

New to the forum here, as I try and find an answer.

I have a 3 year old Kitchenaid Icemaker. Couple of days ago, it stopped making ice, or really really poor ice. I pulled it out, cleaned out the dust from the condenser, even put some cleaner and ran it on clean mode for a couple hours. After cleaning it up last night and leaving it out from under the counter to access cooler air, I set it to run overnight, expecting a full ice bin this morning. I wake up, and no ice. Its running and the condenser toward the front is really hot.

Here are some facts. The water resevior fills fine. The circulation pump that moves the water over the evaporator is doing fine. The cutting grid has the correct voltage. We had a pretty bad storm come through which fried our computer... The storm may be the cause?

So here's were it gets funny. When the freeze cycle starts, the condenser fan runs and draws a very good amount of air, but only for a minute then turns off. So I can imagine if the fan doesn't run, then the condenser doesn't get cold, and the evaporator doesn't get cold. Doesn't the compressor relay and overload control this function, and could it have been damaged in the storm?

I unplugged it from AC, and pulled the relay and overload modules off and took a closer look. They don't smell bad, or seemed burned. So is it possible the compressor relay and overload modules are bad? Could it be both, or one or the other? ...Or could it be the fan motor?

Much appreciate any help!
Randall

[ran007]

I ordered a new relay - it's got some loose parts inside when I shake it, which I don't think is normal... I'll let you guys know what happens when I put it on.

[no1hog]

Did you have any luck with your problem yet?

[ran007]

No luck - I ordered the relay, then when it came in the bag was already opened and taped back which made me a little suspicious... I notified customer service the second it came in, but after a week I still haven't heard back from them. Beware I guess. I would have ordered other parts to troubleshoot, but if this is how they work, then I'll go somewhere else I guess.

I put a meter on the original relay and the overload. They test out good. The compressor even shows the correct resistance. So I put in a call to Kitchenaid, hoping the 2-5 yr warranty will cover the problem and maybe they'll determine that the sealed portion has failed.

any ideas? or do you have the same problem?

[no1hog]

Have you had anyone suggest the reversing valve might be bad? I have a similar problem. Also, I don't know if you can change the solenoid reversing valve without breaking into the refrigerant.

[ran007]

Good point on the reverse valve - and if that's part of the sealed system, then it will be covered in the 2-5 yr warranty. Thanks for the advice. I'll tell the repair guy on Friday that it may be a point of interest.